Ultra-High Strength Stainless Alloy Strip, a Method of Making Same, and a Method of Using Same for Making a Golf Club Head

Abstract

A stainless steel strip article is disclosed. The article is formed from a corrosion resistant alloy having the following composition in weight percent, about:C0.03max.Mn1.0max.Si0.75max.P0.040max.S0.020max.Cr10.9-11.1Ni10.9-11.1Mo0.9-1.1Ti1.5-1.6Al0.25max.Nb0.7-0.8Cu1max.B0.010max.N0.030max.The balance is iron and usual impurities. The elongated thin strip article provides a room temperature tensile strength of at least about 280 ksi in the solution treated and age hardened condition. A method of making the strip article and a method of using it to make a golf club are also disclosed.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 110,034 filed Oct. 31, 2008, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]This invention relates to stainless steel strip material and in particular to a stainless steel strip article having very high tensile strength, a method of making same, and a method of using the strip material for making a golf club head.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]Golf club manufacturers are constantly looking for a high strength faceplate material. Very high strength allows the faceplate section to be made thinner, and therefore lighter, which provides designers more leeway in club head design. In addition, corrosion-resistant materials are preferable to non-stainless materials because surface coatings or plating, which could be removed during use, are not required.[0006]Current solutions...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]In accordance with another aspect of this invention there is provided a method of making a thin strip article. The method comprises the steps of casting a corrosion resistant alloy having the weight percent composition set forth above to form an ingot. The ingot is hot worked to form an elongated strip material. The strip material is then heat treated under conditions of time and temperature to provide an ultimate tensile strength of at least about 280 ksi at room temperature.

[0010]In accordance with a further aspect of this invention there is provided a method of making a golf club head. The method includes the step of casting a corrosion resistant alloy having the weight percent composition set forth above to form

Problems solved by technology

However, the CUSTOM 455 and CUSTOM 465 alloys do not provide the strength levels desired in new club designs.

The CUSTOM 475 alloy provides very high strength, but it is also highly alloyed, making it both expensive for the club manufacturer as well as less forgiving in the golf club manufacturing process.

The alloys typically used for the cast body of the club have solution temperatures of about 1900° F., whereas the known faceplate materials have solution temperatures ranging from 1550° F. to 1800° F. This mismatch in heat treating temperatures results in either the club body, or the faceplate material, or possibly both, providing less than optimum properties in the as-heat treated condition after assembly of the club head.

In addition, the CUSTOM 475 alloy often requires a different manufacturing process altogether, because the alloy cannot be re-solutioned after club head assembly.

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